Steering Mechanism of an Advanced Flying Automobile 942182

This paper examines in greater detail the steering mechanism of an Advanced Flying Automobile as described in the “Design Concepts and Market Opportunities for Flying Automobiles”, SAE Paper 921570 and “Design and Styling of an Advanced Flying Automobile”, SAE Paper 932603. The desire to design and manufacture a flying automobile, one from which both the driver and the pilot would receive maximum benefit, was prompted by the various conceptual designs. The steering system employs multi-function control unit which serves the front wheels, the elevators and the ailerons. In the flight configuration, 90 degree movement of a steering wheel in either direction, causes the ailerons to translate to their extreme angular position while the front wheels turn a minimal amount. Whereas the steering wheel turns greater than 90 degrees have no effect on the movement of the ailerons. Pulling and pushing of a steering wheel controls the movement of the elevators. The advantage claimed for this steering system design does not require the need for the driver/pilot to manipulate controls in switching from an automobile to aircraft mode.